Community Education & Support

Caring, confidential forums offer help, hope and healing

Learn more about the support groups at Blount Memorial by checking this month’s community calendar, or by using the links below.

Alzheimer's Support Group: The Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the second Friday of each month with family members of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Blount Memorial Senior Services staff lead this free group in the Sunflower Room at MorningView Village, located at 2304 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, in Maryville. For more information, call 865-980-4894.

Better Breathers: Better Breathers is an informal, educational support group for anyone, patient or caregiver, having to deal with breathing problems such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and other breathing disorders. Presented by the Blount Memorial Medical Fitness Center, the group meets each month at 12:30 p.m. in the Blount Memorial Medical Fitness classroom on the hospital's 2-east floor. Participation is free, and reservations are not required. For more information, call 865-977-5636.

Caregiver Support Group: Participants in this small group all have their status as caregivers in common. They gather weekly to take a break while sharing their strengths, hopes and experiences. Newcomers always are welcome. A professional from Blount Memorial Senior Services facilitates the free sessions, which are from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesdays on the hospital's 3-east floor. A second group meets from 10-11 a.m. every first and third Tuesday at Everett Senior Center, located at 702 Burchfield St.., in Maryville. Participants attend the free meetings as they choose and are able. Call Blount Memorial Senior Services at 865-977-5744 for more information.

Compassionate Friends Foothills Chapter: The Compassionate Friends Foothills Chapter is a free support group for parents who have experienced the death of a child at any age and from any cause. The group meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Blount Memorial Hospital auditorium. For more information, call 865-984-4223.

Grief Support: The staff of Blount Memorial Hospice and Palliative Care leads free grief support groups for people who have experienced the death of a love one. This group provides educational, emotional and spiritual support for adults suffering the loss of a loved one. Offered as a six-week series, participants are encouraged to attend all six sessions. The groups meet in the Home Services and Hospice Building at 1095 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, in Maryville. For more information, call 865-981-2291.

Look Good, Feel Better: The American Cancer Society's Look Good, Feel Better program is a free, national public service program dedicated to teaching female cancer patients the techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image and how to deal with the sociological side effects experienced during cancer treatment. Participants are given a kit with up to $200 worth of cosmetic products donated by various cosmetic companies. The group meets the first Monday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon in the new Blount Memorial Cancer Center’s radiation oncology conference room on the center's first floor. Registrations is required and can be made by calling 865-980-4939.

Moms Remembered: The frequent feelings women identify and associate with the death of their mothers are explored in this mutual support group offering women the opportunity to share their experiences in a comfortable environment. Moms Remembered, a grief support group for women whose mothers have died, meets from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month ending with a memorial event on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Group meetings are held in the Blount Memorial Home Services and Hospice Building at 1095 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway in Maryville adjacent to the hospital’s campus. Sessions are free. Call 865-981-2291 to register.

Stroke Support Group: The Stroke Support Group provides support to stroke victims and their families. The free group meets on the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Blount Memorial Medical Fitness classroom on the hospital's 2-east floor. For more information, call 865-977-4739. Reservations are not necessary.

Survivors of Suicide: Survivors of Suicide is a free support group that meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on the second Monday of every month in the Blount Memorial Hospital auditorium. The group is for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. For more information, call 865-984-4223.